BREASTCHECK CAMPAIGN
FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Around 3,700 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Ireland every year
T
he COVID-19 pandemic has taught us to change our habits and take precautions on a daily basis. But what else are we doing to protect our long-term health and wellbeing? October was breast cancer awareness month. Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer among Irish women. Around 3,700 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in this country. Our BreastCheck campaign for October 2021 encouraged women to check for lumps or physical changes in the shape, skin or size of their breasts, and to go straight to the GP if any changes do occur. As the risk of breast cancer increases significantly with age, women over 50 need to be particularly vigilant. The campaign explained that women aged 50-69 are eligible for BreastCheck, the national free breast screening service, and despite the pressure the COVID-19 pandemic has put on the health service, screening appointments are taking place. Routine breast screening for those aged 50-69 has been proven to be the most effective way to detect breast cancer at an early stage, even if you have no physical symptoms. The campaign ran across multiple communications channels. We had a partnership with RTÉ, which included ads and editorial in the RTÉ Guide, articles on RTE.ie and two slots on the Today Show. Advertorials ran in national newspapers during October and November, and we also had online video ads as well as social media and paid search advertisements. We informed women that there are protective measures in place at all BreastCheck locations and staff have been vaccinated to ensure the safety and security of women availing of the service. Radiographers and doctors will be wearing some PPE and women are required to wear
56 | HEALTH MATTERS WINTER 2021
The Today Show on RTÉ do a segment with the BreastCheck team.
a mask for their appointment. As areas have to be disinfected between each screening appointment, we explained that women may be asked to wait outside until it's time for their appointment. Wait times might be a little longer than normal, and friends and family are not able to come inside on the day. Our campaign informed women how they can play a part in their own breast health. Women should check the BreastCheck screening register to make sure their details are correct, as we will send a letter when it’s time for their appointment. They will also receive a reminder text message from ‘Swiftqueue’ a few days before their appointment. If women can’t make their appointment, we are asking them to get in touch with the
screening unit on their invite letter to reschedule. This means BreastCheck can offer the appointment to someone else in their community. We are letting women know that if they’ve been waiting for an appointment but haven’t received an invitation yet, this is because their appointment may be delayed by up to at least a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Women who have been waiting the longest will be screened first. For a while, Ireland will be more in line with England which screens women every three years, but we are letting women know that BreastCheck aims to return to screening every two years as soon as possible. We ask women waiting for their appointment to continue to be aware of symptoms and contact their GP for advice.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO CHECK YOUR DETAILS ON THE REGISTER, visit breastcheck.ie or Freephone 1800 45 45 55.
